It is a warm day, and my dog has been running hard. Ahead, muddy road ruts are filled with rainwater. The scene is dotted with fresh cow pies, and the puddles are rimmed with green slime. This oasis hardly seems appealing to me, but before I can call her back, my dog has made a bee-line to the water. She greedily laps from the morass before reluctantly returning to slobber on my hunting pants.
Wild water sources abound in the covers where we bird hunt. It might be a cattail swamp in pheasant country, a stock tank in the desert quail hills, or a Northwoods bog next to your favorite ruffed grouse cover. Regardless of region or water type, one thing is certain: at some point, your dog is going to head for it.
I’m less concerned when my dog stops at a clear mountain brook than a stank-pond in the low country, but wherever she chooses to drink, I’m left wondering. What exactly is in that water? Should I be concerned about her health?
Veterinarians deal with wild water exposure on a regular basis. I interviewed Dr. Amber Ingersoll, a small animal vet who sees plenty of gun dogs but also working ranch dogs and household pets who like to explore off-leash. Dr. Ingersoll told me, “There are definitely some things dog owners should be aware of when out hunting with their dog and their exposures to bodies of water.” These are some of her top problems to avoid.
Areas with slow moving or stagnant water are more likely to be harmful to hunting dogs. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tatman) Dogs Getting Giardia When I was a kid, I got Giardia for a few weeks. It was no fun for me, and it won’t be for your dog. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, watery stools, and every dog owner’s favorite: sudden, acute diarrhea. If this sounds like it might monkey wrench your hunting plans, it will.
Here’s how to avoid it: don’t drink crappy water. Giardia is transmitted through feces. Anywhere animals might be pooping in or near water, be they wildlife or livestock, your dog could slurp up some of the little single-celled vermin.
Diarrhea has many causes, so if you suspect your dog has been exposed, it’s best to get a stool sample to your vet. They might prescribe either a dewormer or an antibiotic to fight the parasites. Unfortunately, it could take a week or more before symptoms resolve, even with treatment. In the meantime, keep your dog well-hydrated, and practice careful hygiene to avoid spreading Giardia to your other pets or family.
Be Wary of Cryptosporidium Like Giardia, Cryptosporidium are pesky single-celled organisms that can wreak havoc on your dog’s gastrointestinal system. They are also caused by feces contamination. Unlike Giardia, there’s no great treatment. It can take a month or more for antibiotics to knock them out. You will be out a hunting buddy as you try to keep adequate nutrients and water in your dog.
Water Contaminated with Leptospirosis Widely present in urine-contaminated soil and water, Leptospirosis bacteria are a significant hazard for hunting dogs. In addition to the usual GI upset symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive urination, you might also see lethargy, jaundice, and muscle pain.
Consult with your vet if you see these concerning symptoms. Leptospirosis can cause kidney and liver failure, even lung and heart issues if left untreated. If your dog is unlucky enough to get this disease, your vet will treat them with antibiotics. This condition is unlikely to spread to humans, but keep your dog away from other pets while recuperating.
Fortunately, gun dog owners don’t have to rely on luck. Leptospirosis is one of the few water-borne illnesses that we can prevent. Leptospirosis vaccines are available, although you’ll need to stay up on the annual boosters to be protected. You can also reduce your dog’s exposure to stagnant water like ponds and marshes where the bacteria is more common.
Watch for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) While the previous water-borne health hazards are invisible, at least we can see Cyanobacteria. They are also known as blue-green algae, or pond scum if you want to keep it simple. Not all cyanobacteria are problematic, but some species produce volatile cyanotoxins, the byproducts of algae blooms.
These nasty substances have a wide range of terrible nervous and circulatory system impacts, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, bloody stools, and death. If that isn’t scary enough, symptoms can occur minutes to days after exposure and rapidly worsen. Less concerning, some Cyanobacteria can cause skin irritation as well.
Cyanobacteria are most commonly encountered in stagnant ponds or streamside puddles, but they are also present in household environments like birdbaths and plant holders. Be especially cautious around warm water in the summer months. If your dog is regularly exposed to stillwater like a pond on your property, it is well worth having it tested for Cyanobacteria. State and federal health departments also publish Cyanobacteria tracking maps showing known problem areas.
It is far better to keep your dog out of questionable water than to try to treat the effects. Even a quick jump in for a swim followed by licking their coat can be fatal. Critical care treatments for an exposed dog include oxygen, IV fluids, and anti-seizure medications. Your dog can die even with rapid and focused intervention.
Pseudomona One of the lesser horrors of untreated water, Pseudomona is a bacteria that causes ‘swimmer’s ear’. Be aware of it if you have a dog that loves to swim, especially if they have floppy ears that cover their ear canals. Signs of infection include scratching at the ears and head-shaking, along with a smelly ooze and painful swelling at the infection site. Your vet will treat swimmer's ear with ear flushes and topical medication.
Sickness is not the only danger of wild water, swift currents, thin ice, and cold temperatures can also be dangerous. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tatman) Environmental Hazards Around Water While the focus of this review is water-borne illnesses, it is also worth considering some of the other hazards that wild water presents to our dogs. Drowning is a common form of traumatic death in dogs, with thousands of pets succumbing in the family pool every year. Our hunting dogs are exposed to far less predictable water in the field, including thin ice, swift currents, stream obstacles like wire and boulders, miring cattail bogs, hot springs, and more.
In addition to water hazards, streams and ponds often attract wildlife, some of which might not get along with your hunting dog. Rattlesnakes and water moccasins are often found near streams. Skunks, badgers, and bears are common occupants of riparian areas.
Carrying clean water for your dogs reduces the risk of them getting contaminated water. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tatman) Learn the Risks of waterborne Illness for Dogs It is impossible to protect our dogs from every hazard that they face in the field. Even if we deny them the joy of hunting, we couldn’t keep them perfectly safe at home. However, we can significantly reduce the risks to our beloved hunting companions by researching potential problems and learning to recognize them in the field.
What is Dr. Ingersoll’s number one tip for avoiding water hazards in the field? “Carry fresh water for your pet. This will allow them to stay well hydrated from a known, safe water source.” Indeed, you should always carry more water than you think you’ll need for your dog and yourself. If your dog is exposed to untreated water, monitor them for any symptoms. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian.
Just like when crossing a road or a barbed-wire fence, when you see your dog approach a water body in the field, you should have an idea of the risks they face, and an idea of what to do about them. Like so many aspects of hunting dog behavior, much relies on a solid foundation of obedience training. It doesn’t matter whether you want to keep your exhausted Lab from making one more icy swim, or if you want to keep your German shorthair from drinking from a nasty mud puddle. If your dog respects your recall, you can mitigate most water risks with a simple, “Come!"
